Reinvent Nai Talim for preparing tomorrows Teacher’s – Community Engagement workshop on Nai Talim and Work education

Chandigarh, July18, 2018: Curriculum Development workshop on Nai Talim and Work education though Community engagement was jointly organized by Department of Education, Panjab University and Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education, Hyderabad Panjab University, Chandigarh here today. The workshop commenced with a theme presentation by Prof.Nandita Singh in which she stressed that the neo liberal model which came as an influence of the western world has now seeped in our social, cultural and political fabric and has impacted human consciousness. In this regard Mahatma Gandhi ji’s thoughts on Ahimsa, Satya, Swaraj, Swadeshi and Sarvodaya, the pillars of his moral political philosophy which he propounded in Hind Swaraj have become most relevant. Mr. B.L. Sharma, Education Secretary U.T. Chandigarh in his presidential address focused that going by the objectives of Nai Talim, it is high time to redesign the system of Education. He said that Education should not just help in achieving personal goals but on a whole should bring a positive impact on society, nation and on global front. The values of Philanthropy and Compassion should also be inculcated in students, he said. Senior Academic Consultant at Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Prof. V P Sharma in his Key note address shared that NaiTalim holds its premises in Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Education yet it is customized to meet the needs of 2Ist Century. He said that Nai Talim focuses to reconstruct entire school curriculum from pre primary to senior secondary stage with a view to making productive work, a pedagogic medium for knowledge acquisition, developing values and multiple skills formation. In his concluding remarks, Dr V P Sharma presented a model on pathway to qualifications and employment. Prof. Arun. K. Grover Vice Chancellor of Panjab University in his address, stressed that it was highly pertinent for the Education system to bring in reforms that cater to develop a moral fabric in students with the purpose of nourishing a humanistic Community feeling in them. He reflected that the past three decades have brought in immense development in all spheres especially in the field of Science and Technology and in this regard it is extremely important for students to adhere to new learning and innovations in order to combat problems on all fronts of life. The workshop comprised of two technical sessions paneled by Experts and concluded with a Valedictory ceremony. Over sixty Teacher Educators from the various belts of Panjab and Chandigarh participated in it.